IFS organizes an international conference for its members and colleagues every two years. This year we will focus on the issues of democracy – its challenges, promises and best practices to strengthen civil society and participation in diverse locations globally.

The 2018 conference Democracy – Is it in Danger? takes place in Helsinki on June 6-8.

On the day following the conference you have an opportunity to visit the Arctic Circle. See the program for details.

June 9-11, Saturday-Monday: Trip to Arctic Circle
The trip is optional programme. Detailed programme you find at the Arctic Circle trip programme.

CONFERENCE FEES

Conference fees include day time programs, luncheons, refreshments and the Ceremony of 100 years old Finnish Settlement. No VAT is payable on conference fees because the Finnish Federation of Settlements in not VAT-registered.

Regular conference fee, 6-8 June: 350 euros

Conference fee for presenters of miniseminars and workshops: 300 euros

STATEMENT: We are civil society, we are free, we are Hungarians and we are Europeans

Budapest, 12 April 2017 – More than 100 Hungarian NGOs and tens of thousands of people joined the "Heroes' veto" event on Budapest's iconic Heroes' Square between 17.30-19.00 today at Heroes' Square, Budapest.

On the peaceful event, the crowd of people freed up a heart-shaped area with the word "Civil", symbolising that civil organisations are needed for Hungary. We are all part of the civil society and stand for our communities, for our environment, and for the freedom of thought. The new NGO bill submitted to the Parliament would require NGOs which receive funds from foreign sources independently from Hungarian financial bodies in the annual amount of more than HUF 7.2 million to make an additional registration. The organisations affected by this bill amendment have operated in a transparent way, in compliance with the legislation. Information on the sources of financial support, their amount and their use has been always publicly available. This can be verified by observing the annual reports of each organisation.

The more than 100 Hungarian NGOs joining today's event reject the proposed stigmatisation of the new NGO bill. These organisations provide services for the society in a completely open and transparent manner: they protect children's rights, provide food to those in need, give shelter to homeless people, or work for a cleaner, more peaceful and healthier Hungary.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1178668815589658

Pictures and videos from the event will be available here (continuously updated from 20:30 UTC+2): https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8iPCrEMgANYeGN1OHFfRUE0WFU

See this article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/hungary-thousands-protest-govts-education-ngo-policies/2017/04/12/ab8b0858-1fa6-11e7-bb59-a74ccaf1d02f_story.html?utm_term=.b06bc821094c

posted 2017-04-19

Event | CSW61, Comission on the Status of Women: Women´s Economic Empowerment In The Changing World of Work

Event | Side Event at the United Nations 55th Commission for Social Development

On 3rd February 2017, Nora Moran, Policy Analyst at the United Neighborhood Houses of New York, represented IFS at a side event during the Commission on Social Development. The event was held at the UN and the discussion centered on the problems and practical solutions of eradicating hunger as a human right for older adults. International Federation of Settlement Houses and Neighborhood Centers was a vital contributor to the meeting. Nora Moran was able to showcase how our IFS members work to fund, deliver and create programs in the many countries we represent.

The program was sponsored by the Mission of Argentina and co-sponsored by the NGO Committee on Ageing.

News | Introducing BPP's 2015 Growth Report

Bringing Metrics and Success Stories from San Juan del Sur to our Supporters
BPP's motto is simple, we Help a Child Grow. However despite the positive growth we see in our students every day when they demonstrate enhanced self-esteem, kindness, confidence and general happiness, growth can be difficult to measure in the traditional sense, which BPP has striven to represent externally since our founding in 2009. Last year, we implemented a database which tracked attendance rates, measured academic growth through quarterly assessment tests, collected surveys from parents and volunteers, and gathered testimonials from students, and we were finally able to compile all of that information to create an Annual Report that we can present to our current and future supporters. BPP is proud and excited to finally share with you BPP's 2015 Growth Report.

posted 2016-08-01

News | Northwestern Settlement Announces 2 Limited Engagements

Northwestern Settlement's Adventure Stage Chicago Announces 2 Limited Engagements This Fall: an International Production and a commemoration of the Settlement's 125th Anniversary. Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC), a program of Northwestern Settlement (the Settlement), announces its Fall 2016 slate of public programming, continuing its commitment to new work and original storytelling in the spirit of service and community-building. Kicking off its thirteenth season is Reprise (Sept 16-17), a new play with original music forming part of the National Theatre of Scotland's Home Away Festival. The season continues with Jack's House (Oct 29 – Nov 27), a site-specific performance honoring the Settlement's 125 years of service to Chicago families. All performances take place at Northwestern Settlement's Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. Tickets are $10 for preview performances and $17 for adults and $12 for youth aged 14 years and younger for the regular run. Tickets may be purchased at adventurestage.org or by calling 773-342-4141

Conference | IFS Conference in Berlin, 2016

Our 2016 conference "On the Move – At Home in the World" will be held September 28 through October 1 in Berlin, Germany. The conference deals with the development of displaced people and migration as a global phenomenon and its subsequent challenges. Therefore, we have arranged a diverse and exciting program which focuses on a country comparison of the conditions and possibilities for community work in the area of refugees and migration. National and international experts will hold lectures and panel discussions. Practical approaches and best-practice examples will be presented in workshops. Visits to different institutions will allow for the opportunity to get to know practical examples in Berlin and to speak to the employees on location.

A full conference program with more than 30 interesting workshops from all over the world and 34 site visits to amazing projects in Berlin is available online now .

News | BPP’s First All-Inclusive Family Voluntour

Barrio Planta Project, along with our partner Grow Inc, was thrilled to receive our first Family Tour, a ten-day mother daughter trip with two mothers Tracy & Tanja and their four lovely daughters, Olvia, Jillian, Jerra & Shayna, ages 12-15.

The Trip included a full week (3 full days and 4 half days) of volunteer activities with BPP's Cultural Exchange Program as well tourist activities including surf lessons at Hermosa Beach, Horseback Riding in Majagual Beach, ziplining, nature hikes, a fishing trip, a picnic in Marsella Beach, Culture Night, a hike to the Jesus Statue and a pool party with BPP kids at Surf Ranch Action Resort! The trip also included shared accommodation, a Welcome Dinner, all breakfasts and lunches, airport transportation and transportation throughout Nicaragua to Granada, Laguna de Apoyo and Masaya. Interested in a Voluntour? Learn more on our website.

posted 2016-04-16

Event | 2016 Alliance Executive Leadership Conference, May 11-14

The Alliance Executive Leadership Conference (AELC) offers a refuge for reinvention and the enduring camaraderie of peers who become your personal, ongoing network for ideas and solutions. More than just another conference, the AELC provides an experience that many participants find both intellectually and emotionally regenerative.

The 2016 conference experience will focus on the national context through which we think and talk about our work. Attendees will unite with peers in a supportive environment—one where they can grapple with large-scale issues. With the guidance of experienced facilitators, executives will explore how inequitable systems continue to hinder the impact of our programs and perpetuate issues of disparity, as well as why the value of human services simply isn't resonating with policymakers and the general public.

This year's facilitators, InclusionVentures and the National Human Services Assembly, have proven adept at equipping leaders with the frameworks and tools needed to redefine business as usual. Above and beyond learning how to strengthen their organizations, executives will find greater purpose and relevancy in the national context.